City Comparison
Gießen vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gießen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gießen
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gießen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gießen's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Gießen | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $320 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $55 | $120 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,645 | $2,570 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gießen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gießen is estimated at
$38,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Gießen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,500 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gießen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gießen comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gießen sees 9.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gießen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Gießen.
Gießen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gießen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gießen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gießen is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gießen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gießen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gießen
Advantages
Justus Liebig University and TH Mittelhessen drive a young, vibrant, and culturally rich local atmosphere.
Extensive regional rail connectivity provides direct and rapid access to Frankfurt am Main and surrounding hubs.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and proximity to the Lahn river valley offer excellent outdoor recreation.
Renting and general living costs remain notably lower than in nearby major metropolitan centers like Frankfurt.
High concentration of top-tier medical facilities anchored by the university hospital guarantees exceptional healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Competitive rental housing market during peak university enrollment periods leads to constrained availability for small apartments.
Bicycle theft rates are higher than the national average due to the heavy reliance on cycling among students.
Local employment opportunities are heavily concentrated in education and healthcare, with fewer corporate headquarters.
Winter months can feature prolonged overcast days with limited direct sunlight despite a solid annual average.
Traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commuting hours can affect major arterial roads entering the city.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gießen
#8Hesse, Germany
68.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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